Lock-switch.



L. F. BARNES.

LOCK SWITCH.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 27. 1915.

1 ,%l;?22. v Patentmi Jan. 21, 19191 LIONEL r. BARNES, or annnnsnor, ENGLAND.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

Application filed July 27, 1915. Serial No. 42,229.

' closer which is provided with means for preventing closing of thecircuit by unauthorized persons, the device being particularl adapted for use in connection with the ignition circuits of motor vehicles, motor boats, and the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a circuit closer of the class above mentioned which will normally maintain an open circuit and which is only capable of closing when a key provided therefor 18 inserted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit closer of the class above mentioned which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, strong and durable, and effective in operation.

With the above and other objects in view my invention resides preferably in, the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure cuit closer embodying the improvements of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a my improved circuit closer showing the operating mechanism in plan view.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the housing showing the operating mechanism in elevation.

. Fig. 4 is a detail enlarged perspective view of the key member which I use in the present form of myinvention.

Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged view of one terminal of the circuit closer.

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the various views the drawings.

In the drawings wherein the preferred' embodiment of my invention is illustrated. I have provided a housing 1 of any desired shape and formed of any preferred material. such as hard rubber or the like. A base 2 is 1 is an exterior view of the cirin Fig.

associated with the housing 1 and is detachably connected thereto by means of fastening screws 3 or the like. As shown to advantage in Figs. 2 and 3, the, housing 1 includes a curved front wall 4 and side walls 5 and 6.

The circuit closing mechanism of my invention includes a transversely arranged guide member 7 preferably formed of tubular material and having a longitudinal slot 8 formed therein, said slot terminating in an enlarged recess 9 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The guide member 7 is secured as at 10 to the side wall 5, a suitable key hole 11 being provided in the wall 5. One circuit terminal is designated 12 and has connected thereto one of the conductors 13 leading from one side of the external electric circuit. The binding post or terminal 12 carries a resilient arm 14, said arm 14 having its free extremity provided with an offset portion 15 and a U-shaped ortion 16 for a purpose which will hereina ter appear, said portion 15 being disposed adjacent the guide member 7. The other circuit terminal is designated 17 and carries an angle bar 18, said angle bar 1.8 having a laterally extending portion 19 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. As shown to advantage in'Fig. 2, the circuit terminals 12 and 17 extend radially inward from the (-urvld wall 4 of the housing 1.

I provide a circuit closing arm designated 20, said arm being pivoted at 21 in a bracket 22 mounted upon and insulated from the wall 6 of the housing. The arm 20 is provided with an cent one extremity 24 thereof, said extremity extending adjacent the portion 19 of the angle bar 18. The opposite extremity of the arm 20 extends transversely of and lo a point adjacent one extremity ofthe guide 7, said arm being provided, at a point concentric with the axis of the guide 7, with a depression 25. A recess 26 is provided in the wall 6 of the housin and an expansion sprin 27 of any desireg type is receivable in said recess and bears upon said arm 20 to maintain the same in the position shown 5. A suitable stop comprising a lug 28 is provided on the bracket 22 to a distance to which the arm 20 may be moved by the spring 27.

I provide a suitable circuit closin member which in the present instance inc udes a thereof being received the guide tube with. ward lock near the communicating recess, a,

key 2% having a shanh: 30 and a lateral e2:- tension 31 similar to the ordinary Ward. of a key for engagement with the Ushaped portion 16 of the resilient arm 14 in a mam ner which will hereinafter appear.

It will he noted that, by virtue of the peculiar'relative disposition of the arm 20, the guide 7 and the terminal 14, the key 29 may be utilized to actuate the arm 20 and engage at the same time the free extremity of the resilient arm 14. As shown in Fig. 3, the device is in open circuit position. In order to close the circuit, the key is inserted through the hole 1.1, the shank 30 in the guide I, and the ward 31 of said hey extending laterally through the slot 8 in the guide. The key is forced inwardly until the free extremity of the shank 30 engages the socket or depres sion 25 on the arm 20. lihis will cause the arm 20 to rock on its pivot; 21 causing the extremity 24 of said arm to engage the lateral portion 19 oi the bar 18. this position the ward of the key will he in a position to register with the lateral recess 9 which communicates with the slot 8 in the guide 7. By turning the key a short distance, the ward 31 may be swung into engragcment with the shaped portion 18 of the resilient arm 14. The key is turned until the ward snaps into the ill-shaped por tion of the arm, whereupon it will remain in said U-shaped portion until a reverse movement is directed on said hey. This will cause the circuit to he cioscd through the resilient arm 14 to the ward 31 of the key, through the shanlr of the key to the arm 20, and thence to the other binding post or terminal 1? through the bar 18.

It will be seen that the key hcth serves to lock the device in closed circuit position and as a conducting path for the electric current. Of course, the shape of the need not he as shown, since various shapes may he resorted to in actual practice to prevent duplicating said hey.

From the above description, talten in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that a clear understanding of the construction. operationandadvantages of my invention may ie readily aathered. While it have shown and described the same as possessing a peculiar construction, it that changes may lie-made in the details thereof which do not depart from spirit and scone of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: v

1. The combination of a guide'tuhe with a slot and a recess communicating there with, a circuit closing contact pivoted at the end of the guide tube said contact having. a depression, a locking contact beside an offset forming a lrey and comprehensive is to he understood offset for key having a shank entering the tube and engaging the depression to move the pivoted circuit closer, a ward on the shank entering the slot and adapted to be moved into the recess to engage the Ward lock and simultaneously close and lock the contacts,

. and means for normally urging the pivoted contact against the shank of the key.

2. The combination of a guide tubewith a slot and a recess communicating therewith, a circuit closing contact yield-ably supported at the end of the tube, a locking contact beside the guide tube and nearer said recess, a key having a shank entering the tube and engaging the said circuit closing contact for moving the same, a ward on the shank entering the slot and adapted to be moved into the recess to engage the locking contact for closing a circuit.

3. The combination of a locking contact, a circuit closing contact, a key comprising a shank having a ward, means for guiding said shank into engagement with said circuit closing contact and said hey heing adapted to move into engagement with said locking contact for closing a circuit.

4-; T he combination of a guide tuhe with a slot and a recess communicating therewith, a circuit closing contact pivoted at the end of a guide tube, said contact ham Inga depression, means for normally urging said pivoted contact in one direction, a loci- H12 contact beside the guide tube with an offset tori nine a ward lock near said recess, a

keyhaving' a hank entering the tube and engaging with the depression to move the circuit closing contact, entering the slotiand adapted to he moved. into the recess to engage the ward ioch' and simultaneously close and lock the contacts, and a contact bracket secured in the path of movement of said circuit closing contact.

5. T e combination of a guide tuhe with a slot and a recess communicating therewith, a circuit closing: contact yieldahiy sup ported at the end of the guide tube, said contact having a depression, a inching contact beside the guide tube and adjacent said recess, a key having shank entering the tube and engaging depression to'move said circuit ciosingr contact, a ward on the r .ct and adapted to he moved into engagement livith said contact for moving the same.

6. The'coinbiuation of a guide inching ward on the shank Gil slot and a recess conimunicatiig therewith, a yieldahly supported circuit dosing contact at the end of the guide tune, locle ing contact beside the guide, the icing a ward loci: an

with an recess, a key hav ng a shank ente the tube and engaging-said circuit ciosi coir tact for moving the same, a shank entering the slot and a. i

memee IE engage the ward lock and move said locking contact for closing a circuit.

8. The combination of a locking contact, a circuit closing contact, e tube extending toward said circuit closing contact, a key comprising a shank. having a Ward, said tube being adopted to guide said shank into engagement with Sitlld circuit closing contact and said. key being adapted to move into cngagementwith said locking contcct for closing a circuit. y

In testimony whereof if efiin my signature so in presence of two witnesses.

LYONEL F.

moved into thevrecess to engage the \ward lock and simultaneously close and lock the contact.

7. The combination of a guide tube with a slot and recess communicating therewith, a plate having a bracket and a socket a circuit closina contact pivotally mounted upon said brac et adjacent the end of the guide tube, said contact having a depression, a locking contact beside the guide tube with an oiiset forming at ward lock near the recess, a spring carried within said pocket and bearing upon said" circuit. closin1 contact adjacent said de ression, a key eving a shank entering t 0 tube and en ging the depression to move the circuit c osmg contect, a ward on the shank entering the slot adapted to be mo ed into the r to BARNES.

.Witnesses:

. Amnzzr E. Jonecon, 

